Brandon Ingram's presence next fall will inject life into a Raptors team poised to make run at playoffs
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During his end-of-season availability — which seems an odd way to describe a season that ended for him more than four months ago — Brandon Ingram shed some light on an injured ankle he suffered way back on Dec. 7.
At the time, he was a member of the New Orleans Pelicans.
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Brandon Ingram's presence next fall will inject life into a Raptors team poised to make run at playoffs Back to video
He would play no games for the Raptors after his acquisition, no indication on how Ingram will mesh with Scottie Barnes, no telling what kind of impact Ingram will have when a new season begins and, with it, new expectations.
He was present, for obvious reasons, at his introductory news conference when the Raptors made the trade and was visible on the bench in the role of spectator.
Ingram is short on words, which is fine because his on-court actions will do his talking.
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It was a long shot for Ingram to suit up for the Raptors given the nature of his ankle setback, his status only reduced by the amount of losses the team piled up and the possible reward that could arrive at the NBA’s draft lottery on May 12.
People forget Ingram was drafted second overall by the L.A. Lakers, one slot after Ben Simmons, one slot above Jaylen Brown.
The 2016 draft class also featured the likes of Jamal Murray, Jakob Poeltl, Domantas Sabonis and Pascal Siakam. In other words, Ingram is no stiff.
During his rehab from the ankle injury, Ingram confided Monday he experienced some aggravation, resulting in last week’s PRP injection.
In medical terms, this regenerative medicine treatment is known as platelet-rich plasma therapy. In short, injections are provided that use a person’s own blood to accelerate healing.
Fittingly, Ingram will inject life into the Raptors this coming fall, a team that could use all the healing it can extract.
It was encouraging to hear Ingram say his ankle is trending in the right direction.
His season as a full participant with the Raptors will be Ingram’s 10th in the NBA and with his third team.
Barnes’ mantle as the face of the franchise won’t change, but things must change for the Raptors as they come off a 50-loss season for the second year in a row.
For one thing, they simply must make the playoffs. For another, Ingram must become a focal point.
The team, barring injury, will have a point guard in Immanuel Quickley who can attack the paint and create when playing downhill. He can also play off the ball.
The team will have Barnes, whose passing is elite, whose ability to operate out of the mid-post is well-established, and whose inability to make shots from distance has been well-documented.
Ingram can create, both for himself and for his teammates.
Poeltl provides that defensive anchor and rim protector, while RJ Barrett knows how to hunt his shot.
On paper, the starting five is good. How good it can get will depend on how well the pieces accept their roles and how well they fall into place.
Ingram has kept in constant communication with the team, which beats the alternative of not being in communication.
He spoke of adapting to his new environment. In theory, that adaptation should make the transition into a full-time player that much easier, but only time will tell.
Outside of a few ancillary tidbits, especially concerning injury updates, these end-of-season gatherings usually are a waste of time. The Raptors have wasted fans’ time the past two seasons, but there is hope.
Ingram’s presence should have a major impact. The question is how he will be used, how many touches he will get, and how his new teammates will play off him.
Ingram has been impressed what he saw from Barnes.
“What I’ve learned is that he stays ready,” Ingram said. “He never complains about practice. I don’t know how many minutes he played (in Sunday’s season finale in San Antonio), but he took the game very seriously.
“Players (who) don’t have an ego and play hard, those are the guys you want to be around.”
The hope is that Ingram’s injury will be well behind him when camp opens and a season begins anew.
His 2024-25 season consisted of playing in 18 games.
“It’s been pretty frustrating,” he added. “When I’m playing basketball, I feel like I’m in my groove.
“It’s the thing I love to do most. I’ve had to develop some patience, but I’ve been pretty anxious to get back on the floor.”
Ingram expressed optimism, as did the rest of the Raptors on Monday.
The misery associated with the past two seasons are officially in the past. It’s the future that should give fans hope.
No one is suggesting this team will return to the days of posting 50 wins, but the days of piling up 50-loss seasons are over.
As for the rest of the Eastern Conference?
Cleveland experienced a breakthrough season in 2024-25, but its sustainability remains to be seen.
The reigning champion Celtics will continue to flourish or flounder based on their three-point proficiency.
Milwaukee is so dependent on the health of Giannis Antetokounmpo, while the New York Knicks believe in running their players into the ground under head coach Tom Thibodeau. The likes of Indiana and Detroit aren’t exactly imposing.
The wild-card remains Philly, whether it involves its fate on May 12 on draft lottery night or the fickle status of Joel Embiid.
The rest of the East is very beatable. At the very bottom resides the very horrible.
Some roster tweaking this off-season, some luck on draft lottery night and the Raptors only will get better.
A healthy Ingram automatically makes the team much improved and far more entertaining to watch.
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